The Marx Brothers were known for their zany antics, and this film is no different. You know where it’s headed in the beginning. The first officer of the cruise ship, informs the captain there are four stowaways on board. The captain asks him how he knows the number of stowaways. the first mate replies that they were singing Sweet Adeline. It goes on like this, throughout the film. Clever lines like this were written by S.J. Perlman, Will B. Johnstone and Arthur Skeekman.
The storyline, which is almost a moot point, with Marx Brothers films, involves two rival gangsters, with one, Joe Helton, (Rockcliffe Fellowes), bringing his daughter, Mary, (Ruth Hall), into proper society. His plans are sent into turmoil, when Zeppo Marx, falls for her. The other gangster, Briggs, (Harry Woods), uses Chico and Harpo as enforcers. He doesn’t exercise common sense, when he gives them guns. They proceed to walk the deck with their guns, scaring all the passengers. Groucho has found a beautiful woman to romance, Lucille, (ThelmaTodd). There is a problem with his new found lady love. She is the wife of Briggs. This of course causes much hilarity, with Briggs, Chico and Harpo getting in each other’s way and Groucho not able to behave himself.
Harpo, of course lives up to his nickname playing his harp for an opera singer. The singer is so bad, that Harpo covers his ears, and later his whole body. He later comes up with another song, that’s better received. He even pretends to be Maurice Chevalier, lip syncing to a phonograph strapped to his back. Harpo, in Monkey Business, gets most of the laughs.
The ship, finally docks in New York. Groucho gets in a few lines with a socialite. He was always famous for his line delivery, and here is no different. Zeppo is denied the company of Mary Helton. She is kidnapped and held for ransom by Briggs in a barn. Zeppo and his brothers along with the police foil the kidnapping, and the lovers are reunited.
Many of The Marx Brothers films are social satire. Monkey business certainly is. It has the usual dialogue, but one more thing is added, slapstick. The brothers freely engage in it, particularly when they’re running from the captain and his crew. The Marx Brothers ability to do any type of comedy, shows their genius, and is what keeps their movies relevant today.